Modern Materials Handling articles from January 2003

Modern Materials Handling archives from January 2003

New crane performance standards. (Breaking News You Should Know).(Crane Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... A new safety specification from the Crane Manufacturers Assn. of America (CMAA) sets performance standards for the manufacture, service, maintenance and inspection of overhead traveling cranes and associated hoisting equipment. "Specification...

Plants will spend more on materials handling. (Breaking News You Should Know).(machine shop and automotive plants)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Machine shop and automotive plants will spend $12.2 billion on machinery and equipment in 2003, including $844 million on materials handling, says Gardner Research's (www.gardnerweb.com) 35th annual capital spending survey. That $844 million...

Survey predicts 3PL sales slump. (Breaking News You Should Know).(third-party logistics services)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Demand for third-party logistics (3PL) services has remained especially strong in our weak economy...until now. A new survey by Accenture consultants (www.accenture.com) and Northeastern University says that just 56% of manufacturing executives...

Lift truck manufacturer to shrink plants. (Breaking News You Should Know).(NACCO Materials Handling Group will close North Carolina plant and shrink Scotland plant)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The maker of Hyster and Yale lift trucks announced in December it would shut down a North Carolina factory and shrink a Scottish one. The move will let the company make just as many lift trucks using fewer factories at less cost, according to...

Collaboration could speed your supply chain. (Breaking News You Should Know).(survey of executives)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... If you had a magic wand, what new data would be the most useful for your company? A recent survey from Accenture consulting (www.accenture.com) ranked the replies: customer demand and sales forecasts (43%), strategic plans about products and...

The order of the Purple Crayon. (Editorial).(warehouse management systems, software; materials handling technologies)
January 1, 2003... In case you missed it, there's a great children's book called "Harold and the Purple Crayon." It starts out: "One evening, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight. There wasn't any moon, and...

Industrial truck orders up from a year ago. (Delano Data Insights).(market growth of 6.6% is forecast for 2003)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The Booked Orders index compiled monthly by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA) shows that lift truck orders were at a level 2.3% weaker during the third quarter of last year than during April-June of 2002. But the market continued to show...

Conveyor orders improve slightly in third quarter. (Delano Data Insights).(of 2002)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The average Booked Orders Index for all conveyors (bulk and unit handling) reported by the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) during the third quarter of 2002 was 7.9% higher than the previous quarter. But that was a much...

Materials handling shipments and orders still weak. (Delano Data Insights).(shipments of materials handling equipment shrank 13.9% in value terms in first nine months of 2002 vs same-period 1991)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The U.S. Commerce Department's monthly survey of U.S. manufacturers showed the value of materials handling machinery and equipment shipments to be worth 13.9% less during the first nine months of last year than the same period in 2001....

MMH orders index will bottom out in early 2003. (Delano Data Insights).(materials handling equipment)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The exclusive MMH index of orders increased by a modest 6.0% between the second and third quarters of 2002, following declines during seven of' the previous nine quarters. But the gain was of a much smaller magnitude than hoped. Entering the...

IT shakeup hits software sector: mergers and acquisitions are shrinking the vendor lineup in supply chain execution software. (Software).(information technology)
January 1, 2003... Mergers and acquisitions are shrinking the vendor lineup in supply chain execution software. There's been considerable speculation of late about the number of supply chain execution software vendors. Quite simply, are there too many? Based...

Intelligent assist devices help build cars faster. (Ergonomics).(Ford Motor, General Motors )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Four years ago, Ford and General Motors agreed to cooperate in the development of intelligent assist devices (IADs) at Northwestern University, UC-Berkeley, and the Department of Energy lab in Oakridge, TN. In early 2002, that research paid...

Executives to explain materials handling decisions at ProMat 2003. (Event).(materials handling showcase)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Many times the reasons for a decision is best understood by those who made it. It's true in materials handling too. At ProMat 2003, the major materials handling showcase of the year, you will get a behind-the-scenes insight to major materials...

Appointments/promotions. (People & Companies).(7Hills Global Systems)(Cardinal Logistics Management Inc.)(Tompkins Associates)
January 1, 2003... Bob Kennedy is named chief executive officer of 7Hills Global Systems Ken Bobick is appointed as the global product manager of Interroll's DC-powered roller drives... Larry Mulkey joins the board of directors at Cardinal Logistics...

Alliances/new facilities. (People & Companies).(Cambar Software Inc.)(College and Industry Council on Material Handling Education presented with award)(Kewill Systems and ReturnCentral)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Cambar Software Inc. is acquired by Supply Chain Holdings LLC... The College and Industry Council on Material Handling Education (CIC-MHE) is presented the Norman L. Cahners award for 2002 by the Material Handling Education Foundation......

Work assist vehicles 5 years later. (Update).(materials handling industry, Crown supplier)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... It's rare in the materials handling industry to see just one company offer a particular type of equipment for any length of time. That was the case for several years in the 1980s when there was just one supplier of vertical lift modules. Now...

Forklift driver donated millions. (Charity).(Matel Dawson Jr., donation to United Negro College Fund)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The biggest gift ever made to the United Negro College Fund was $50,000. But more amazing than the donation's size is the fact that it was made by a forklift driver earning just $60,000 a year, Matel Dawson Jr. who died in November, aged 81....

Intelligent materials handling to break new ground. (Automation).(Brief Article)(Interview)
January 1, 2003... "Automation and the microprocessor are just scratching the surface of what they can do," explains Chris Cole, chief executive officer of conveyor systems supplier Intelligrated (www.intelligrated.com). In an exclusive interview with Modern...

Reusable pallet test underway in Florida. (Supply Chain).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Pallets are often seen as expendable. But Chep (www.chep.com) has a different business model-spend a little more today for a durable pallet, and save money tomorrow by using it over and over again. To test the theory, the company is...

When is a conveyor not meant to convey? (Innovation).(Philadelphia Zoo, new gravity conveyor)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The Philadelphia Zoo recently installed a 20-foot long gravity conveyor with spinning rollers, but the system will never see a box or pallet. Instead, the zoo installed it as the perimeter to its exhibit of Galapagos tortoises. The...

Calendar.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... FEBRUARY 2003 February 10-13 ProMat 2003 McCormick Place Chicago, IL Sponsor: The Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA) Call: 800-345-1815 Web: www.promat2003.com Write in 553 February 19-21 ...

The right label for your application. (FYI).(overview of pressure-sensitive labels, tags)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... A 20-page booklet, "Everything you need to know about labels," provides an overview of pressure-sensitive labels and tags, including faces-tock materials, adhesives, and label constructions. Two charts help readers determine the combination of...

Storage that makes sense. (FYI).(vertical lift modules and vertical carousels)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Want to maximize productivity, recover floor space and reduce stock shrinkage? A new product flyer details how vertical lift modules and vertical carousels utilize unused overhead space and recover up to 75 percent of storage floor space while...

Electronic catalog highlights motors and drives. (FYI).(interactive Electronic Catalog available on CD-ROM)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Instantly access technical information on over 6,500 motors and drives using an interactive Electronic Catalog on CD-ROM. The latest edition of this catalog, Version 8.0, includes nameplate data, dimension drawings, performance and test data,...

Small parts specialists: electronics distributor Avnet is constantly seeking materials handling improvements. Its latest additions are new sorters, conveyors and warehouse software. (Warehouse of the Month).
January 1, 2003... Handling small, delicate parts is a challenge for any distributor. But for Avnet, the world's largest distributor of electronic parts and components and annual sales exceeding $13 billion, large volumes of small parts are doubly challenging....

A tale of two factories: at John Deere's Greenville, Tenn. plant, a power-and-free conveyor that links two facilities has more than doubled throughput. (Manufacturing Spotlight).
January 1, 2003... Summer can be the best of times and the worst of times. Just ask anyone who's ever used an old-fashioned push mower on a hot summer afternoon how much better the day would be with a little automation. That's a lesson learned when John Deere...

WMS not just for warehousing anymore: as manufacturers reduce inventory and cycle times, warehouse management systems are showing up on the factory floor. (Information Management).(managing manufacturing processes )
January 1, 2003... For years, warehouse management systems (WMS) have been improving productivity inside warehouses and distribution centers. But there is another less heralded role for WMS systems: companies like National Frozen Foods are using these systems...

Processing orders like clockwork: a new distribution center at migros, switzerland's largest grocer, handles dry goods with great efficiency using a unique picking vehicle. (International Report).
January 1, 2003... As Migros, one of Switzerland's largest companies proves, the Swiss are anything but neutral when it comes to the supply chain. "We need to increase our speed and reduce costs. Centralization of logistics is necessary for us," explains Armin...

Fine tune materials flow with manual storage: from bins and drawers to racks, manual storage equipment offers classic solutions. (Equipment Report).(Manual storage and staging equipment most popular solution)
January 1, 2003... It's an age-old problem--effective storage and staging of all sizes and shapes of inventory. On one hand, you have to make best use of floor space and the cube of the building. On the other hand, you have to be able to reach specific items at a...

Back on track: retrofits and upgrades of materials handling and related information systems are setting new performance levels. (Special Report).(key is identifying plant's needs)
January 1, 2003... For years, your materials handling system has served you well. Throughput has been high, maintenance low. But now something is different. Neither the hardware nor the software meet your needs quite as precisely. Often, this is the time to...

Ergonomic drum handler. (Show Preview).(battery-powered lift platform)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Ergonomically designed for ease of use, the TD-850PL Drumverter safely mixes, pours. and dumps drum contents. Its battery-powered lifting operation allows users to control the forward and reverse motion of the transport process. Available in...

Sort small products quickly. (Show Preview).(narrow-belt sorter)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Ideal for small products, the NBS 90-SP narrow-belt sorter handles as many as 120 products per minute. The system is comprised of a series of narrow belts and high-friction rollers to divert products at 90-degree angles in one or more...

Collapsible, returnable container. (Show Preview).(perishable goods containers)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The full line of SmartCrate handheld, collapsible plastic containers is well-suited to transporting perishable goods and transferring work-in-process materials. The containers are easy to assemble in two steps and offer high cube utilization as...

Portable unit for changing batteries. (Show Preview).(portable battery changer )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Lift truck operators can quickly and safely change batteries in stand-up vehicles and pallet trucks using Attach-A-Puller. The portable battery changer can be mounted on any pallet truck and powered by the pallet jack battery. The unit comes in...

Motorized conveyor rollers. (Show Preview).(offers programmable controller)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The 8000 Series RollerDrive BT motorized conveyor roller incorporates DC-power and a high-torque brush type motor into the roller. Paired with DriveControl zero-pressure accumulation control cards or with a programmable controller, the rollers...

Air-powered lift table. (Show Preview).(air bags prevent chemical damage and punctures)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Powered by rugged air bags, the AX series of lift tables rises to heights between 8 and 32 inches while handling loads ranging from 1,000 to 8,000 pounds. The air bags resist chemical damage and punctures, creating a safe, maintenance-free...

VLM increases storage density. (Show Preview).(new vertical lift module )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The SMARTdepot Cross-bay vertical lift module (VLM) stores products in any storage bay and delivers them to any workstation. Users can personalize and store their individual settings for workstation heights and languages. Operating on a Windows...

Maximize AS/RS storage space. (Show Preview).(new miniload automated storage and retrieval system )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Directly handling loads without using trays or bins, a miniload automated storage/retrieval system (AS/RS) with gripper technology maximizes rack space while efficiently staging products. The gripper handles a variety of sizes and styles of...

Pocket-sized computer. (Show Preview).(offers ergonomic design and more battery power)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Compact and rugged, the 700 color pocket PC integrates in a single device three communications options--local area network, wide area network and BlueTooth. Features include an ergonomic design, advanced battery power for all-day use and...

Lift truck operates in 80-inch aisles. (Show Preview).(allows for maximizing of storage space)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The Aisle-Master forklift requires only 80-inch aisle widths to operate, maximizing storage space. Loads up to 4,400 pounds can be lifted to heights of 30 feet. Aisle-Master 877-280-4910 www.aisle-master.com Enter 418 at mmh.com/info

Sliding shoe sorts 220 cartons/minute. (Show Preview).(new flexible, sortation system )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Sort products from 6 to 48 inches in length at 200 to 220 cartons per minute with the IntelliSort. The sortation system offers flexibility, accommodating a variety of products and operating at speeds of up to 600 feet per minute. Features...

Printer/applicator labels various surfaces. (Show Preview).(convex, concave, flat surface applications)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... A label printer/applicator can apply labels to convex, concave and flat surfaces on either the top or side of a product. A varying tamp pad size allows labels ranging from 1 x 3 inches to 4 x 6-1/2 inches to be used. Adjustable guide rods stop...

Flame-retardant plastic pallets. (Show Preview).(lightweight and recyclability )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Five new flame-retardant pallets with UL approval are as safe as, or safer than, wooden pallets, according to the supplier. Sizes available are 36 x 48 inches, 37 x 37 inches, 37 x 43 inches, 40 x 48 inches and 95 x 105 centimeters. The plastic...

Protection for rack beams. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... A new rack beam featuring a recessed web prevents bar code labels from being rubbed off and pallet support bolts from being sheered off. The durable and abuse-resistant Label Beam is constructed of 100 percent hot-rolled structural steel. Its...

Manage containers over the web. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... A Web-based container management system maintains a database of all containers and mobile assets in a supply chain for real-time control. Features include supporting asset and content identification, asset status control, billing and preventive...

Enhanced event management capabilities. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... A supply chain visibility and event management system used in conjunction with LENS 3.0 adds shipment visibility, rules-based collaborative processing and enhanced event management capabilities to increase supply chain velocity. The system's...

Automated walkie. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Combining a materials handling workhorse with automation controls, the HYBOT is an automated walkie designed for facilities requiring long repetitive travel. The vehicle features an ergonomic control arm, 48-inch forks, an interactive vehicle...

Scissor lift positions loads precisely. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... A skillet scissor lift programmed for various speeds and precise positioning lifts almost any type of material with high duty cycles. Its weight capacity ranges from 1,000 to 8,000 pounds. Designed with a ball screw drive, the scissor lift...

Scanner for high-speed uses. (Show Review).
January 1, 2003... Designed for high-speed applications up to 600 feet per minute and minimum object spacing of two inches, the Axiom 400 bar code scanner is suitable for the most challenging materials handling application. Four laser diodes provide a read range...

Controls cut installation costs significantly. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... A decentralized control technology reduces control cabinet space and cost as well as branch circuit hardware and cabling expenses. Operating on common bus networks such as DeviceNet, CANOpen, Profibus and Interbus, the system also reduces field...

Recharge batteries quickly. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... The PosiCharge rapid battery charge system eliminates the need for a battery changing room and increases efficiency in electric lift truck operations. The PosiCharge ELT, a stand-alone single-port fast charger, allows lift truck operators to...

Software designs rack systems. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... A new version of software for designing rack systems analyzes building, pallet and load specifications before generating a list of components and visuals. The software program addresses such issues as efficiency, space allocation and...

Invert sheet stacks efficiently. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... The IB load inverter is designed to quickly and efficiently invert sheet stacks that are brought to a workstation by a conveyor system. Features include a circular barrel structure, a hydraulic scissors clamp and a chain-driven, live-roller...

Efficient sequence buffer. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... By combining a versatile storage/retrieval machine with advanced material flow software, inventory can be buffered in sequence for maximum throughput. The load-handling device is designed to handle plastic totes, corrugated cartons and metal...

AC-powered reach truck. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... A reach truck uses accelerated-performance AC drive and lift motors to enhance productivity, maximize energy efficiency, reduce the cost of operation and lower the cost for each pallet moved. AC technology eliminates the requirement for drive...

Sensors for conveyors. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... A family of sensors is mounted in a vertical optical orientation below conveyor rollers to protect the sensors from damage and eliminate the need for periodic cleaning of the sensing face. The completely integrated zero-pressure accumulation...

Palletize any case pattern. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Designed for single-line applications, the low-speed 780 case palletizer uses a right-angle formation to achieve almost any case pattern. Close-center rollers and a hi-parting apron enable the palletizer to handle a variety of case and pallet...

Wireless bar code printer. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Easy to use and durable, the [T5000.sup.e] is a Web-enabled, industrial-grade thermal bar code printer. Used with PrintNet Enterprise, the label printer gives users remote control over the enterprise printer. When equipped with online data...

Safety gate for racks. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Available in two-rail and four-rail designs, a dual-gate creates an enclosed workstation to protect employees and materials during loading and unloading applications. The all-steel gate attaches to existing rack-supported mezzanines and...

Wearable voice terminal. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Talkman T2 is a voice-directed computer that can be worn on the belt for hands-free, eyes-free operation. The terminal utilizes advanced speech recognition and speech synthesis technologies as well as lithium-ion battery technology. Its...

It's time to plan for promat. (New Media).
January 1, 2003... To find out about next month's ProMat show, visit www.promat2003.com. The Web site offers online show registration, full listings of educational seminars, tutorials and workshops, and detailed exhibitor information with an interactive floor...

Hoists and chains online. (New Media).
January 1, 2003... Featuring all products sold by the Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products Division, the Web site www.cmindustrial.com features product specifications and links to all brands marketed through the division. Product and technical manuals, parts and...

Enhanced research tools on pack expo site. (New Media).
January 1, 2003... Users of Packexpo.com can take advantage of the improvements made to the site's search engine results, information requests, user registration, content organization and visual design. The integration of Google technology into the Web site's...

Upgraded site for packaging solutions. (New Media).
January 1, 2003... The Web site www.ranpak.com features paper-based packaging solutions for over 50 products in 20 industries. Enhanced resources include a new industry solutions section containing over 50 package engineering reports, making product application...

Free trial version of AGV system design tool. (New Media).
January 1, 2003... A free trial version of the Q-CANDesigner PC program is available for assistance in the design and configuration of automatic guided vehicles (AGVs). The program allows users to create an AGV system and run a demonstration of the proposed...

Free online career board. (New Media).
January 1, 2003... A supply chain industry career board sponsored by HK Systems and Irista easily connects employers seeking specialized professionals with individuals seeking career opportunities. Accessing the site at www.hksystems.com, job seekers can post...

Weigh small parts electronically. (Product Focus).
January 1, 2003... Bulk small-part inventory counts are made easier by the low-range Super II electronic counting scale, available in 2 and 5 kilogram capacities. The scale offers high accuracy and internal resolution set to 1 part in a million. The scale's...

Shipping scales for low-weight parcels. (Product Focus).
January 1, 2003... Two models have been added to a shipping scale family for parcels up to 70 pounds. The lightweight, compact PS15 and P530 scales are compatible with PC-based manifest shipping software programs and complement the company's larger PS60...

High-speed cubing solution. (Product Focus).
January 1, 2003... Infrared emitter/receiver technology is used by an above-the-belt cubing system to gather parcel dimensions at conveyor speeds up to 600 feet per minute. The CubiScan 200-XIR interfaces directly to a computerized host or warehouse management...

Conveyor belt scales. (Product Focus).
January 1, 2003... Two scales, the ArchWeigh SC/HP belt scale and the ArchWeigh HP belt scale, feature in-motion accuracy with dual-ended load cells. These patented load cells provide long-term repeatability without recalibration. They also allow the scales to...

Wireless weight data communications. (Product Focus).
January 1, 2003... Cellular weighing offers an efficient means to monitor, control and network multiple sensor inputs and outputs concurrently through wireless communications. Using radio frequency cellular technology, the MSI-9000 CellScale serves as a central...

Capture dimensions in-motion. (Product Focus).
January 1, 2003... Length, width and height of parcels can be measured as they travel on a conveyor belt at speeds up to 600 feet per minute. The Qtrace dimensioning system, an integral part of the iQ 180 camera-based, visual data acquisition system, mounts...

Packaging dimensioning. (Product Focus).
January 1, 2003... A compact, overhead dimensioning unit automatically measures the length, width, and height of packages as they move along a conveyor. The DM-3000, a self-contained unit, can easily be installed over an existing conveyor and requires no break in...

Swing reach stacker. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Powered by AC motors, the EFX swing reach stacker provides a maximum lift height of 276 inches and lift capacity of 2,750 pounds. The redesigned very-narrow-aisle vehicle offers increased efficiency by feeding energy back into the battery...

Lids for carts. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Designed to fit Poly-Boxtrucks and tilt trucks, lids securely cover cleaning supplies and other materials during transportation throughout a facility. The lids are offered for 10-, 12-, 14-, 16-, 18- and 20-bushel Poly-Trucks as well as the 5/8...

Design a distribution center. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Specializing in distribution design services, a consulting company offers a new space planning tool for distribution centers. This system uses data and dimensions such as the amount and type of storage equipment, product dimensions, aisle...

Scan bar codes from 27 feet. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... To improve visibility and scanning accuracy, a series of signs feature a retro-reflective background and slanting bottom lip on which bar codes may be attached. The vertically hung bar code signs are available in three sizes--8 x 8 inches, 12 x...

Handheld computer offers more power. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... The color MX3-CE horizontal rugged wireless handheld computer operates with the Intel SA-1110, 206 MHz processor, offers terminal emulation options and features three choices of high-visibility displays. Options include a vivid color display,...

Vertical, spiral conveyor. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Spiralveyor, a vertical, space-saving conveyor, transports loads to 70 pounds between levels at top speeds of 200 feet per minute with a single drive. A maximum 10 degree centerline angle ensures gentle handling of products with widths ranging...

AGV features optical guidance system. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Reliably performing repetitive tasks, the FlexiMate automatic guided vehicle (AGV) stores up to 17 routing tracks and follows the routes using an optical guidance system and floor markings made of stainless steel foil and adhesive tape. The...

Design and build organization. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Delivering automated distribution facilities, a design and build organization offers architectural, engineering, real estate and management services as well as supply chain analysis, project finance and interiors equipment. The Haskell Co....

Measure irregularly shaped items with precision. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... CubiScan 50-PS, a small static dimensioning and weighing system, uses photo-optic technology and a highly sensitive scale to measure irregularly shaped parts and non-packaged items with precision. The system can measure objects with an accuracy...

Laminated bar code labels. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... Custom-printed laminated bar code labels are available for racks and containers. Protecting bar codes from becoming damaged or soiled, the labels can be created in sizes ranging from 1 x 3 inches to 3 x 10 inches. Shelf Tag Supply ...

Two-door security cart. (Show Preview).
January 1, 2003... A nickel-chrome plated wire mesh cart features a double-door front, EZ Latch N Lock device and inset caster for mobility and security. Cart dimensions are 48 x 24 x 70 inches. The cart rides on phenolic casters, 2 swivel and 2 rigid, which are...